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Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
- Print and keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- If this medicine has been prescribed to you do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
- If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
1. What CHAMPIX is and what it is used for
2. Before you take CHAMPIX
3. How to take CHAMPIX
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store CHAMPIX
6. Further information
1. WHAT CHAMPIX IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
CHAMPIX is a non-nicotine medicine which is used to help you stop smoking.
CHAMPIX can help to relieve the craving and withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping smoking.
Although you are not recommended to smoke while taking treatment, CHAMPIX can also reduce the enjoyment of cigarettes if you do smoke when on treatment.
2. BEFORE YOU TAKE CHAMPIX
Do not take CHAMPIX
- If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to varenicline tartrate or any of the other ingredients of CHAMPIX
Drug interactions
Take special care with CHAMPIX
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
The effects of stopping smoking
The effects of changes in your body resulting from stopping smoking, with or without treatment with CHAMPIX, may alter the way other drugs work. Therefore, in some cases an adjustment of the dose may be necessary. Examples include theophylline (a medicine to treat breathing problems), warfarin (a medicine to reduce blood clotting), and insulin (a medicine to treat diabetes). If in doubt, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.
For some people stopping smoking has been associated with an increased chance of experiencing feelings such as depression and anxiety.
You may temporarily experience increased irritability, urge to smoke, depression and/or sleep disturbances when you stop taking CHAMPIX. Your doctor may decide to gradually lower your dose of CHAMPIX at the end of treatment.
Effect of CHAMPIX on other drugs
CHAMPIX is not expected to affect the way other drugs work.
Effect of other drugs on CHAMPIX
Due to the way in which varenicline tartrate is removed from the body, it is not expected that other drugs will affect the way in which CHAMPIX works.
Use of CHAMPIX with other therapies for smoking cessation
The safety and benefits of taking CHAMPIX in combination with other medicines for stopping smoking have not been studied. CHAMPIX in combination with other smoking cessation therapies is therefore not recommended.
CHAMPIX is not recommended for use in children or adolescents below 18 years.
Taking CHAMPIX with food and drink
CHAMPIX can be taken with or without food.
Pregnancy
You should not take CHAMPIX while you are pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are intending to become pregnant. If you want to start treatment with CHAMPIX, your treatment should be timed so that you have completed the course before becoming pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Although it was not studied, CHAMPIX may pass into breast milk. You should ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking CHAMPIX.
Driving and using machines
CHAMPIX may produce dizziness and sleepiness. You should not drive, operate complex machinery or engage in any other potentially hazardous activities until you know whether this medication affects your ability to perform these activities.
3. HOW TO TAKE CHAMPIX
You are more likely to stop smoking if you are motivated to stop. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide advice, support and sources of further information to help ensure your attempt to stop smoking is successful.
Always take CHAMPIX exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Before starting your course of CHAMPIX you should decide on a date in the second week of treatment (between day 8 and day 14) when you will stop smoking.
You should write this date on the pack as a reminder.
CHAMPIX tablets should be swallowed whole with water.
The usual dose for adults which you should follow from Day 1 is described in the following table:
|
Week 1 |
Dose |
|
Day 1 - 3 |
From day
1 to day 3, you should take one white CHAMPIX 0.5 mg film-coated tablet
once a day. |
|
Day 4 - 7 |
From day
4 to day 7, you should take one white CHAMPIX 0.5 mg film-coated tablet
twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, at about the
same time each day. |
|
Week 2 |
|
|
Day 8 - 14 |
From day
8 to day 14, you should take one light blue CHAMPIX 1 mg film-coated
tablet twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, at
about the same time each day. |
|
Weeks 3 - 12 |
|
|
Day 15 -
end of
treatment |
From day
15 until the end of treatment, you should take one light blue CHAMPIX 1
mg film-coated tablet twice daily, once in the morning and once in the
evening, at about the same time each day. |
Should you experience adverse effects that you cannot tolerate your doctor may decide to reduce your dose temporarily or permanently to 0.5 mg twice daily.
After 12 weeks of treatment, if you have stopped smoking, your doctor may recommend an additional 12 weeks of treatment with CHAMPIX 1 mg film-coated tablets twice daily.
In smoking cessation therapy, risk of returning to smoking may be elevated in the period immediately following the end of treatment. Your doctor may decide to gradually lower your dose of CHAMPIX at the end of treatment.
If you have problems with your kidneys, you should speak to your doctor before taking CHAMPIX. You may need a lower dose.
If you take more CHAMPIX than you should
If you accidentally take more CHAMPIX than your doctor prescribed, you must seek medical advice or go to the nearest hospital casualty department immediately. Take your box of tablets with you.
If you stop taking CHAMPIX
It has been shown in clinical trials that taking all doses of your medicine at the appropriate times and for the recommended duration of treatment described above will increase your chances of stopping smoking. Therefore, unless your doctor instructs you to stop treatment, it is important to keep taking CHAMPIX, according to the instructions described in the table above.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Giving up smoking with or without treatment can cause various symptoms. These could include changes of mood (like feeling depressed, irritable, frustrated or anxious), sleeplessness, difficulty concentrating, decreased heart rate and increased appetite or weight gain.
Like all medicines, CHAMPIX can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
" Very common side effects which may affect more than 1 person in 10 are listed below:
- Headache, difficulty sleeping, abnormal dreams
- Nausea
" Common side effects which may affect more than 1 person in 100 are listed below:
- Increased appetite, changes in the way things taste, dry mouth
- Sleepiness, tiredness, dizziness
- Vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, feeling bloated, stomach discomfort, indigestion, flatulence
" Uncommon side effects which may affect more than 1 person in 1, 000 are listed below:
- Chest infection, discomfort or pain, inflammation of the sinuses
- Fever, feeling cold, feeling weak or unwell, viral infection, shortness of breath, cough, hoarseness, throat pain and irritation, congested sinuses, runny nose, snoring
- Loss of appetite, feeling thirsty, increased weight
- Feeling of panic, difficulty thinking, mood swings
- Tremor, difficulty with coordination, difficulty with speech, less sensitive to touch, increased muscle tension, restlessness,
- Heart rhythm disturbances, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate
- Disturbed vision, eyeball discolouration, eye pain, dilated pupils, shortsightedness, sensitivity to light, watery eyes
- Ringing in the ears
- Blood in vomit, irritated stomach and heartburn, abdominal pain, abnormal stools, red blood in stools, belching, mouth
ulcers, pain in the gums, coated tongue
- Skin rash, cyst, fungal infection, reddening of the skin, itching, acne, increased sweating
- Chest wall and rib pain, stiff joints, muscle spasms
- Glucose in urine, increased urine volume and frequency
- Increased menstrual flow, vaginal discharge changes in sex drive or ability
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
5. HOW TO STORE CHAMPIX
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use CHAMPIX after the expiry date which is stated on the card packaging or carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.
Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
What CHAMPIX contains
- The active substance is 0.5 mg varenicline and 1 mg varenicline respectively.
- The other ingredients are:
|
Tablet
Core - CHAMPIX 0.5 mg and 1 mg film-coated tablets |
|
Microcrystalline cellulose
Calcium
Hydrogen Phosphate Anhydrous
Croscarmellose Sodium
Colloidal
Anhydrous Silica
Magnesium
Stearate |
|
Tablet
film coating - CHAMPIX 0.5 mg film-coated tablets |
|
Hypromellose
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Macrogols
Triacetin |
|
Tablet
film coating - CHAMPIX 1 mg film-coated tablets |
|
Hypromellose
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Macrogols
Indigo
Carmine Aluminium Lake (E132)
Triacetin |
What CHAMPIX 0.5 mg and 1 mg film-coated tablets look like and contents of the pack
- CHAMPIX 0.5 mg film-coated tablets are white, film-coated, modified capsular shaped tablets, marked "Pfizer" and "CHX 0.5"
- CHAMPIX 1 mg film-coated tablets are light blue film-coated, modified capsular shaped tablets, marked "Pfizer" and "CHX 1"
CHAMPIX is available in the following pack presentations:
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
- A treatment initiation pack containing 2 blisters; 1 clear blister of 11 x CHAMPIX 0.5 mg film-coated tablets and 1 clear blister of 14 x CHAMPIX 1 mg film-coated tablets in card packaging.
- A follow-on (maintenance) pack containing 2 clear blisters of 14 x CHAMPIX 1 mg film-coated tablets in card packaging.
- A follow-on (maintenance) pack containing 2 clear blisters of 28 x CHAMPIX 1 mg film-coated tablets in card packaging.
- A follow-on (maintenance) pack containing 2 clear blisters of 14 x CHAMPIX 0.5 mg film-coated tablets in card packaging.
- A follow-on (maintenance) pack containing 2 clear blisters of 28 x CHAMPIX 0.5 mg film-coated tablets in card packaging.
- A treatment initiation pack containing 2 blisters; 1 clear blister of 11 x CHAMPIX 0.5 mg film-coated tablets and 1 clear blister of 14 x CHAMPIX 1 mg film-coated tablets in a carton.
- A follow-on (maintenance) pack containing 2 clear blisters of 14 x CHAMPIX 1 mg film-coated tablets in a carton.
- A follow-on (maintenance) pack containing 4 clear blisters of 14 x CHAMPIX 1 mg film-coated tablets in a carton.
- A sealed blue white HDPE bottle pack, with a child resistant screw cap, in a carton, containing 56 x CHAMPIX 1 mg film-coated tablets.
- A sealed blue white HDPE bottle pack, with a child resistant screw cap, in a carton, containing 56 x CHAMPIX 0.5 mg film-coated tablets.
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